Raymond of Peñafort

About Raymond of Peñafort

Raymond of Peñafort was a Dominican friar, master of canon law, and confessor to the pope. At Pope Gregory IX's request, Raymond compiled and organized church law in the "Decretals" (1234)—the basis of canon law for 700 years. As Master General of Dominicans, he revised the Order's constitutions. Raymond worked for centuries to ransom Christian captives from Muslims and to convert Muslims and Jews through reason rather than force. He allegedly sailed from Majorca to Barcelona on his cloak when denied passage. He lived to 100, dying in 1275.